Santa Clara County Horsemen's Association 
Our purpose is to promote good fellowship between horsemen and a greater understanding of horses. • President’s Message • Event Calendar - Upcoming • Events - Last Month's Fun • Membership • General Meeting Minutes • Volunteer Corner & Donations • Photo Funnies and Classified Ads
Contact Information Website: https://horsemens.org/ Email: SCCHA.1939@gmail.com Follow Us on Social Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SCCHAHorsemens Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sccha.1939 | President's Message
Dear SCCHA Members, I’ll start this month with an update on our Rose Parade adventure. We recently learned that SCCHA was not selected to participate in the 2027 Rose Parade. While we would have loved to be ringing in the New Year on Colorado Boulevard, it looks like Pasadena will have to wait for us a little longer. There was a lot of excitement around the possibility, and quite a few people invested their time and energy into helping us get through the application process. To everyone who attended meetings, completed paperwork, gathered information, prepared horses, helped with logistics, or simply raised your hand and said, “Count me in,” thank you. While 2027 won’t be our year, I don’t think this is the end of the idea. We learned a lot through the process, and I hope we’ll throw our hat back in the ring for a future parade. Sometimes you have to knock on the door more than once! Another Successful County Fair On a much happier note, we wrapped up another fantastic year at the 82nd Santa Clara County Fair. This was our third year bringing horses to the Fair, and I continue to be amazed by the response we receive from the public. Thousands of people passed through the Fair, and our volunteers had the chance to talk about SCCHA, answer horse questions, share our history, and introduce visitors to our four-legged ambassadors. For some people, it was their very first opportunity to get close to a horse. Those interactions may only last a few minutes, but they matter. They help people understand why horses, ranches, trails, and open space are still an important part of Santa Clara County. I especially want to recognize Rachael Parakh, who took on the enormous job of coordinating our participation over multiple days. Organizing volunteers is one thing. Organizing volunteers, schedules, displays, horses, and the daily trailering of horses in and out of a County Fair is an entirely different level of commitment! Rachael, thank you for the countless hours you put into making this happen. And thank you to every member who volunteered, brought a horse, hauled a trailer, talked with visitors, or helped behind the scenes. This event simply could not happen without all of you. Ride with Us in the New Almaden Days Jump-In Parade! There’s still time to join SCCHA for the New Almaden Days Jump-In Parade on Saturday, September 12! This is always such a fun, low-key community parade and a great opportunity to get your horse out and enjoy the day with fellow SCCHA members in a wonderfully relaxed, small-town feel. Afterward, stick around for the festivities in New Almaden, including food, music, games, raffles, and plenty of community fun. Want to participate? Please RSVP by contacting, Yvonne Lee, at 408-203-1795 or yvonneleecdf@gmail.com. Please let her know you’re coming so we can make sure we have enough tack for everyone who wants to ride. Buckle Show – September 19 On Saturday, September 19, we’ll wrap up our 2026 5D Play Day season with the Buckle Show. Our riders have spent the summer working toward this day, and now it’s time to see who takes home those buckles! Even if you aren't competing, come out and cheer everyone on. There’s something pretty special about watching riders and horses who have worked together all season get their chance to put it all together. Good luck to everyone competing, and a big thank you to the volunteers who have made all four Play Days—and now the Buckle Show—possible. Save the Date – 4th Annual Fall Festival Open House Before we know it, October will be here, and that means one of my favorite SCCHA events of the year. Our 4th Annual Fall Festival Open House will be Saturday, October 3 from 3:00–6:00 PM. The Open House gives us a chance to open our doors to the larger community and show people what SCCHA is all about. It takes quite a few hands to pull it off, both in the days leading up to the event and on the day itself. If you can help with preparations or volunteer during the Open House, please call, text, or email Rachael Parakh at (408) 242-2654 or rachael.parakh@gmail.com. Even a couple of hours makes a difference. September feels a little bittersweet this year. One door didn't open for us, but there is still so much happening right here at home that deserves our energy and attention. From the thousands of people we reached at the County Fair to the riders competing for buckles and the families we'll welcome at our Fall Festival, SCCHA continues to make an impact. And who knows, maybe one of these years I'll be writing this newsletter from Pasadena. Until then, I'll see you around the grounds.
Happy trails, Tami Moore, SCCHA President |
 Event Calendar
Hi All. We need our club members to lead events. Let's camp, trail ride, have clinics, or other fun events (anyone for cards?). Please come forward and propose them - lets make this a fabulous 2026!! The Board meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month 7:00pm-9:00pm
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Events
Take a look at Facebook for Pictures....or check out the pictures (Click the link and scroll down): Pictures
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October Pre-Announcement: There is something for everyone this weekend of October 16-18. Be sure to stop in at at least one event to say 'hello'. The Gaited Schooling Horseshow will be the 3rd annual event. Each year the buckles are stunning and different. This is a low-key event for all skill levels. Look at the events on our website to see all the details needed for the horseshow.
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Handmade Quilt Fund Raiser Yvonne Lee will give you the tickets and keep a duplicate with your name on it. Buy at a General Meeting or contact Yvonne directly if you want to purchase outside of the store yvonneleecdf@gmail.com. Buy 1 (one) ticket for $5 Buy 6 tickets for $25
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AUGUST PLAY-DAY We hosted 15 fierce competitors at the arena and everybody went home a winner! Thank you to our club volunteers for making this possible. |
Tevis: Terry Zygalinski & A Horse Named Charlie
"A Horse Named Charlie" by Gertie Walker
Many of you must know about the Tevis cup, it is known to be one of the hardest endurance rides in the world, if not the hardest. It is 100 miles in 24 hours from Lake Tahoe to Auburn across the unforgiving terrain of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The first Tevis cup was held in 1955 and set the blueprint for modern endurance racing: finish 100 miles in 24 hours with a horse that is fit to continue. There are many vet checks throughout the ride that ensure the welfare of the horses. Statistically, every year about 50 percent of the horses and riders that start will make it to the finish line in Auburn. Horses get pulled for various reasons and often for being overtime. There are deadlines for each check, if you are late you are out.
Another important part on your Tevis journey is your crew. Your truck and trailer need to be driven to the finish, you need food for you and your horse at the vet checks with mandatory rest stops. The crew helps cool the horse, helps tack and untack, lets the rider rest, makes sure everyone eats and more.
This year 102 horses starting this journey and our member Terry Zygalinski of Gaited Pleasure Horses, on his horse Charlie, was one of them. I was a crew member for Terry and his friend Scott Steward. We had 4 people on our crew (Gertie Walker, Dave Walker, Adolfo Gamboa, Sebastian Gamboa) and we were kept busy all day. and night.
I have a pretty good idea of what it is like to be a rider on the Tevis. In 1996, I was lucky enough to finish the ride myself on my Arabian horse, Eddie. I was young and rode an Arabian, a breed that is made for this sort of distance riding. This makes Terry’s accomplishment of finishing this ride not once but twice so far on his gaited horse Charlie even more impressive. In Terry’s own words, bringing a gaited horse to the Tevis is like bringing a knife to a gun fight. This is absolutely the truth, gaited horses simply don’t run and recover as fast as an Arabian. This means Terry had to manage his horse very carefully and he absolutely did an amazing job! The finishing prize is a Tevis belt buckle, but I think the real prize is the bond that forms between you and your horse when you cross these mountains and make it to Auburn.
Terry and his horse Charlie has made the gaited horse community so proud, go Charlie!
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NEW!!! Donate now to Support the Junior Scholarship ProgramThe Scholarship program is supported by your donations. Each year submissions are due by June 30 to apply for a college scholarship from SCCHA. To donate to the scholarship fund, click here and write in the comments that your donation is for the scholarship program: Donate Check out the details of the program. Scholarship Program NEW!!! Join the Junior ProgramWe have a new Junior Director, with lots of ideas and energy. Do you have a Junior under the age of 18? Join the fun and enroll in the Junior Program to get invitations for the fun events. Junior Program
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Membership - Bring a Friend. Help Grow the Association: Tell your friends about the "Horsemen's". Their first dinner as a guest is free at the General/Dinner Meeting. Have them apply for membership! Membership Application
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FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2026 CTO at 8:05 and The Pledge of Allegiance by president Tami Moore. Thank you to Liz Kehoe for the fabulous Hawaiian meal and servers Michele Hiatt and Mary Billingsley. Thank you to Chris Monahan for filling in as bartender and drinks person tonight. Yvonne Lee will be selling tickets for the quilt. TREASURER'S REPORT given by Yvonne Lee. Horsemens P.O. BOX renewed for $258.00 EVENTS Last 5 D Playday will be Sunday 8/23/26 and 5 D Buckle Playday show will be Saturday 9/19/26. New Almaden Parade is coming up on Saturday 9/12/26- please rsvp to Yvonne Lee if you're riding. SCCHA will have our 4th annual Fall Festival Open House on 10/3/26 at 3 PM. Thank you to everyone who participated and plans to participate in the Santa Clara County Fair - Cathy Angel will be bringing a total of 4 horses each of the 5 days. Linda Carcione and Stephen McHenry will also be bringing horses. The Santa Clara County Fair days are 8/19 through 8/23 this year. Tami announced that SCCHA was not accepted for the 2027 Rose Bowl Parade; however we can try again next year and maybe join another local Horsemans association. Marissa Sinha announced our Movie night tonight is Seabiscuit - please stop by for popcorn, a drink and to watch a movie under the stars. Stephen McHenry - Lone Oak Equestrian Center in San Martin will be hosting Robbie Potter 11/21/26 and 11/22/26 with private appointments the Friday before and the Monday after - rain or shine as there is a covered arena. Discussion about one of the SCCHA Hall renters who had a plugged the sink drain and pipes were backing up. Roto Hero was out to fix and provide an estimate for full pipe clearing and he would subtract the amount that was already paid ($425-). Stephen Henry mentioned that he has a guy that is very good and we should get an estimate from Plumbing America. It was mentioned that SCCHA always tries to get 3 estimates and then make the best decision. Yvonne Lee - Discussed about the repair of the SCCHA ovens that have not been working which means our renters do not have ovens to use when they rent the hall. Nick came out to fix the ovens for the last two months and no luck. These ovens are no longer being made and they are over 40 years old. Wolf ovens now cost $6,000.00 on up and over $12,000.00. Kathleen O’Neill made a motion to get the ovens replaced and Stephen McHenry made a motion to approve up to $9,000.00 and second by Liz Kehoe. The members voted to approve. Guests tonight: Mother and daughter - Liz Coulson and Loren St Clair Rebekah Witter Donna Poy - Organizer and our guest speaker about Day of the Horse in Woodside, CA with a progressive trail ride on Saturday 10/10/26 and a family fun Horse Fair on Sunday 10/11/26. There will be swag bags, 3 mile horse walk from 11 AM- 2 PM; stop for treats; family fun and horse fun all in Woodside California - see flyers for more details. Handouts were also available for Horse Masters Equine Excellence - featuring world renowned trainer Linda Parelli - Horse behavior specialist, educator & personal empowerment leader at The Horse Park at Woodside on 9/12-13/2026. Register and learn more at www.horsemasters.us |
Volunteer Corner & Donations
There are always opportunities to volunteer for our activities. Check here frequently as more activities show up in the summer.
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Advertising and Photo Funnies
Advertise on the SCCHA Website:Want to broadcast your Advertisement on our club website? We welcome your "Family Friendly" Ads that would interest the horse/ranch/rider community. Advertising is free to our Members and $200/Calendar year for Non-Members. Your ad is available to the public, our members, supporters, and equine enthusiasts. Demographics include Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, San Francisco County, and more.See Details in the Club Store Here Club Store Your Ad will be shown here: Advertising
| "Just let me give my nametag a quick proof-read here...." WE NEED YOUR FUNNY PHOTOS |
